Certified or photocopy of Decedent's Death Certificate. 3. Dying intestate means that a person has died without a will stating how his or her property (called an estate) is to be distributed.Click on the link(s) for the forms you'd like to download. To close a bank account on behalf of someone who has passed away, you must have legal authority to manage the account. Once the court approves the closing of probate, the assets can be distributed. This process will be done according to the terms outlined in the decedent's will. The bank will not allow you to close it unless you have a letter of authorization from the probate court. That person's property is called the estate. When a person dies and leaves a Will then they died testate. Fill out the Move-in Checklist at the back of this booklet.